9 Ways to Revamp Your Dating Life for 2016

Every January, singles all over the world flock to the internet in hopes of kickstarting a dormant love life. Many dating websites have consistently reported significant increases in membership and usage during the month of January. To help more singles stay on track with their New Year’s dating resolutions, my team of Matchmakers compiled a list of 9 great ways you can supercharge your love life so you can hit the ground running all year long.

#1: Cut your losses and move on. There’s no sense beating a dead horse. If something isn’t working out for you, then summon up the courage to walk away from the situation. Leave the past behind, hold no regrets, and learn from your mistakes. You may not be able to control how someone reacts to you, but you have all the power when you control how you react to someone else, no matter how badly they may have wronged you in the past.

#2: Adopt a new motto and write yourself a manifesto. The advertising world is filled with all sorts of mottos and gimmicks promoting various products and services. Start seeing yourself as a valuable hot commodity and create a new motto for yourself that reflects what kind of person you would like to be for someone special. Turn your motto into a morning manifesto you say to yourself while you’re brushing your teeth or driving to your next date.

#3: Commit to at least one dating opportunity or social event per week. If dating is really a numbers game, then a little simple math would reveal that the more you plant yourself into situations where you are most likely to meet people, the more chances you’ll have at a relationship with your ideal partner. Make it a point to do something social at least once a week, whether it’s participating in a fun recreational event or meeting up with friends for a live show.

#4: Change up your usual dating routine in favor of new experiences. While some professional singles still opt for the traditional dinner date or long walk along the beach, other singles are getting bored with the typical dating routine. Dare to be bold by focusing every first date on having fun and sharing a new experience together while getting to know each other instead of focusing the dating on getting to know each other while doing something as mundane as drinking coffee.

#5: Be more realistic about your dating options. If you’re of a mature age and a little on the plump side, than you may want to rethink your whole dating strategy if your ideal date is young, lean and extraordinarily beautiful or handsome. Research has actually shown that relationships last longer and are more stable between couples who measure up to each other fairly well on the looks scale.

#6: Even better…Start hitting the gym or taking workout classes more frequently. Getting back to shape is a great way to stay healthy for yourself while looking good for all of your dating prospects. Don’t be afraid to show off a little sweat, which can sometimes be extremely attractive to singles looking for someone they can work up a sweat with together.

#7: Expand your social circle by taking up a new hobby or volunteering. The fastest and easiest way to meet new people is to join a local club where you’re most likely to meet people with your similar interests. If you’re looking for a date with someone who has a warm heart and loves kids, then look for volunteer opportunities at a youth organization where you’re more likely to meet that kind of person.

#8: Subscribe to your favorite websites for dating advice. Stay ahead of all the latest dating trends when you subscribe to newsletters from some of the top dating experts in the industry. All of them offers tons of great content providing singles the insight and perspective they need to become better daters.

#9: Embrace your new dating persona for the year. Once you’ve done everything you can to change up your dating strategy, the last thing you need to do is in embrace your new dating persona and charge ahead while keeping your manifesto at the top of your mind everywhere you go.

About the author

Jacquie Brownridge

Jacquie Brownridge is a professional Matchmaker and Managing Director of It’s Just Lunch Canada with offices serving Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria and the Okanagan. A natural communicator and strong networker, it’s her job to get professionals from behind their computers and connecting with singles in their area over lunch, brunch or drinks after work. She works to minimize the stress and maximize the efficiency of the dating process. It’s Just Lunch is the world's largest non-internet dating service with over 100 locations and 19 years experience. Jacquie has appeared on Canada AM, Global News hour, Urban Rush and been featured in numerous newspapers and magazines including: Business in Vancouver, the Globe, and the Vancouver Sun. She and IJL Vancouver have been voted “Best Dating Service” by the Consumer Choice Awards for three years running and most recently the recipient of “Best of Vancouver” Award for Best Dating Service. An Alumna of the University of British Columbia (UBC) Jacquie has a background in Psychology and Business Development. Although known for her ability to bring people together, she has unparalleled business acumen. A lover of travel and the arts, Jacquie has a back ground in music including piano and dance. In her spare time she can often be found on the slopes of Whistler.